U.S. patent number 9,346,279 [Application Number 14/856,687] was granted by the patent office on 2016-05-24 for liquid cartridge and liquid ejecting apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The grantee listed for this patent is BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Mutsumi Otobe.
United States Patent |
9,346,279 |
Otobe |
May 24, 2016 |
Liquid cartridge and liquid ejecting apparatus
Abstract
In a liquid cartridge, a liquid storing section defines a liquid
storing chamber storing liquid, and a channel section defines a
channel in fluid communication with the liquid storing chamber. A
field forming section forms a field that changes depending on a
position of a movable member that is movable in the channel. A
power-source potential is inputted to a power-source terminal, and
a ground potential is inputted to a ground terminal. A sensor is
electrically connected with the power-source terminal and the
ground terminal, and generates a potential based on the position of
the movable member by being disposed in the field formed by the
field forming section. An output terminal outputs the potential
generated by the sensor. The sensor generates the potential higher
than a ground potential regardless of the position of the movable
member.
Inventors: |
Otobe; Mutsumi (Nagoya,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
(Nagoya-Shi, Aichi-Ken, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
47600672 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/856,687 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160001564 A1 |
Jan 7, 2016 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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14166263 |
Jan 28, 2014 |
9144989 |
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PCT/JP2011/067255 |
Jul 28, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J
2/1752 (20130101); B41J 2/17546 (20130101); B41J
2/17543 (20130101); B41J 2/17553 (20130101); B41J
2/1753 (20130101); B41J 29/38 (20130101); B41J
2/17513 (20130101); B41J 2/17523 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B41J
2/175 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;347/86 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 826 505 |
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Mar 1998 |
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EP |
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1285764 |
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Feb 2003 |
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EP |
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2 202 078 |
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Jun 2010 |
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EP |
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61-158460 |
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Jul 1986 |
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JP |
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8-80618 |
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Mar 1996 |
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JP |
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11-286123 |
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Oct 1999 |
|
JP |
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2000-225692 |
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Aug 2000 |
|
JP |
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2010-208288 |
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Sep 2010 |
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JP |
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2010-240979 |
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Oct 2010 |
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JP |
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Other References
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in
PCT/JP2011/067255, mailed Aug. 22, 2011. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report issued in the counterpart European
application EP11870059.0, mailed Apr. 1, 2015. cited by
applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Mruk; Geoffrey
Assistant Examiner: Richmond; Scott A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Merchant & Gould P.C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/166,263, filed Jan. 28, 2014, which is a Continuation-In-Part
Application of International Application No. PCT/JP2011/067255
filed Jul. 28, 2011. The entire disclosure of both prior
applications is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A liquid cartridge comprising: a liquid storing section defining
a liquid storing chamber that stores liquid; a channel section
defining a channel in fluid communication with the liquid storing
chamber; a magnetic-field generating member provided at the channel
section and configured to generate a magnetic field; a magnetic
sensor provided at the channel section and facing the
magnetic-field generating member with the channel interposed
therebetween; a power-source terminal configured such that a
power-source potential is inputted thereto, the magnetic sensor
being electrically connected with the power-source terminal; a
ground terminal configured such that a ground potential is inputted
thereto, the magnetic sensor being electrically connected with the
ground terminal; and an output terminal electrically connected with
the magnetic sensor and configured to output a potential generated
by the magnetic sensor, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured
to generate a potential that changes depending on change of the
magnetic field, the potential being higher than the ground
potential regardless of the change of the magnetic field.
2. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic
sensor is configured to generate a potential higher than the ground
potential when the magnetic sensor is disposed in a magnetic field
of magnitude of zero.
3. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic
sensor is configured to generate a potential lower than the
power-source potential regardless of changes of the magnetic
field.
4. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic
field generated by the magnetic-field generating member changes
depending on a position of a magnetic hollow member inserted in the
channel from outside of the liquid cartridge; and wherein, when the
hollow member is positioned between the magnetic-field generating
member and the magnetic sensor, the magnetic sensor is configured
to generate a potential that is higher than a potential generated
when the hollow member is not positioned between the magnetic-field
generating member and the magnetic sensor.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a liquid cartridge that stores liquid and
to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid cartridge and an
apparatus main body on which the liquid cartridge is mounted.
BACKGROUND
According to known technology, an ink remaining-amount sensor is
provided at a liquid cartridge mounted on a liquid ejecting
apparatus. Further, a cartridge-mounting detection sensor is
provided at a liquid cartridge mounted on a liquid ejecting
apparatus.
SUMMARY
The inventor of the present application conceived providing, at a
liquid cartridge, a plurality of sensors such as the ink
remaining-amount sensor, the cartridge-mounting detection sensor,
etc. disclosed in the above-mentioned technology.
However, providing a plurality of sensors at the liquid cartridge
leads to a cost increase of the liquid cartridge.
In view of the foregoing, the invention provides a liquid cartridge
including: a liquid storing section defining a liquid storing
chamber that stores liquid; a channel section defining a channel in
fluid communication with the liquid storing chamber; a field
forming section including a movable member that is movable in the
channel and configured to form a field that changes depending on a
position of the movable member; a power-source terminal configured
such that a power-source potential is inputted thereto; a ground
terminal configured such that a ground potential is inputted
thereto; a sensor electrically connected with the power-source
terminal and the ground terminal, the sensor being configured to
generate a potential based on the position of the movable member by
being disposed in the field formed by the field forming section;
and an output terminal electrically connected with the sensor and
configured to output the potential generated by the sensor. The
sensor is configured to generate a potential higher than the ground
potential regardless of the position of the movable member.
According to another aspect, the invention also provides a liquid
ejecting apparatus including a liquid cartridge and an apparatus
main body on which the liquid cartridge can be mounted. The liquid
cartridge includes: a liquid storing section defining a liquid
storing chamber that stores liquid; a channel section defining a
channel in fluid communication with the liquid storing chamber; a
field forming section including a movable member that is movable in
the channel and configured to form a field that changes depending
on a position of the movable member; a power-source terminal
configured such that a power-source potential is inputted thereto;
a ground terminal configured such that a ground potential is
inputted thereto; a sensor electrically connected with the
power-source terminal and the ground terminal, the sensor being
configured to generate a potential based on the position of the
movable member by being disposed in the field formed by the field
forming section; and an output terminal electrically connected with
the sensor and configured to output the potential generated by the
sensor. The apparatus main body includes: a mounting section on
which the liquid cartridge is mounted; a hollow member configured
to be inserted in the channel of the liquid cartridge mounted on
the mounting section; a liquid ejecting head in fluid communication
with the hollow member and configured to eject liquid supplied from
the liquid cartridge through the hollow member; a power-source
potential inputting section configured to input the power-source
potential to the power-source terminal; a ground potential
inputting section configured to input the ground potential to the
ground terminal; a sensor-signal receiving section configured to,
when the liquid cartridge is mounted on the mounting section, be
connected with the output terminal and receive the potential
generated by the sensor; a mount determining section configured to
determine whether the liquid cartridge is mounted on the mounting
section, based on the potential received by the sensor-signal
receiving section; and a position determining section configured to
determine the position of the movable member, based on the
potential received by the sensor-signal receiving section. The
sensor-signal receiving section is configured to receive a
predetermined potential when the liquid cartridge is not mounted on
the mounting section, and to receive a potential different from the
predetermined potential regardless of the position of the movable
member when the liquid cartridge is mounted on the mounting
section. The mount determining section is configured to determine
that the liquid cartridge is not mounted on the mounting section
when the potential received by the sensor-signal receiving section
is in a first range including the predetermined potential, and to
determine that the liquid cartridge is mounted on the mounting
section when the potential received by the sensor-signal receiving
section is in a second range different from the first range.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments in accordance with the invention will be described in
detail with reference to the following figures wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of an inkjet
printer according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the
interior of the printer;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cartridge according to the
first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the interior of the
cartridge;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are partial cross-sectional views of a region V
shown in FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 5A shows a state in which a hollow
needle of the printer is not inserted in a plug and a valve is in a
closed position, and FIG. 5B shows a state in which the hollow
needle of the printer is inserted in the plug and the valve is in
an open position;
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI
shown in FIG. 5A;
FIG. 7 is a diagram as viewed from a direction VII shown in FIG. 4,
for illustrating a terminal of the cartridge;
FIGS. 8A through 8C are schematic plan views showing a process in
which the cartridge is mounted onto the printer, wherein FIG. 8A
shows a state before the cartridge is mounted onto the printer,
FIG. 8B shows a state in which the cartridge is inserted to a
position where the terminal of the cartridge contacts a terminal of
the printer, and FIG. 8C shows a state in which a hollow needle
supported by a support body has moved in a direction of a filled
arrow and penetrated the plug of the cartridge;
FIG. 9A is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of
the cartridge and the printer;
FIG. 9B is a block diagram showing a part of the electrical
configuration in FIG. 9A;
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing each functioning
section constructed by a controller of the printer;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing controls performed by the controller
of the printer when the cartridge is mounted on the printer;
FIG. 12 is a diagram as viewed from a mounting direction M shown in
FIG. 8A, for illustrating a terminal of the printer;
FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line
XIII-XIII shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14A is a graph showing changes of an output value from a Hall
element of the cartridge of the first embodiment in the process in
which the cartridge is mounted onto the printer;
FIG. 14B is a graph showing relationship between magnitude of a
magnetic field and the output value from the Hall element in the
cartridge of the first embodiment;
FIG. 15A is a graph showing changes of an output value from a Hall
element of a cartridge of a comparative example in a process in
which the cartridge is mounted onto the printer;
FIG. 15B is a graph showing relationship between magnitude of a
magnetic field and the output value from the Hall element in the
cartridge of the comparative example;
FIGS. 16A and 16B are partial cross-sectional views showing a
cartridge according to a second embodiment of the invention, and
show states in a closed position and in an open position,
respectively;
FIG. 17 is a graph showing changes of an output value from a Hall
element of the cartridge of the second embodiment in a process in
which the cartridge is mounted onto the printer;
FIGS. 18A and 18B are partial cross-sectional views showing a
cartridge according to a third embodiment of the invention, and
show states in a closed position and in an open position,
respectively;
FIGS. 19A and 19B are partial cross-sectional views showing a
cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,
wherein FIG. 19A shows a state in which a hollow needle of a
printer is not inserted into a plug, and FIG. 19B shows a state in
which the hollow needle of the printer is inserted into the
plug;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a
fifth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the ink
cartridge according to the fifth embodiment; and
FIGS. 22A and 22B are partial cross-sectional views of the ink
cartridge according to the fifth embodiment, wherein FIG. 22A shows
a state in which two valves are in a closed state, and FIG. 22B
shows a state in which the two valves are in an open state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described while
referring to the accompanying drawings. First, the overall
configuration of an inkjet-type printer 1 according to a first
embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention will be
described while referring to FIG. 1.
The printer 1 has a housing 1a having a rectangular parallelepiped
shape. A paper discharging section 31 is provided on a top plate of
the housing 1a. Three openings 10d, 10b, and 10C are provided on a
front surface (the surface on the near left side in the drawing of
FIG. 1) of the housing 1a in this order from the top. The opening
10b is for inserting a paper supplying unit 1b inside the housing
1a. The opening 10c is for inserting a cartridge unit 1c inside the
housing 1a. The opening 10d is fitted with a door 1d that can open
and close pivotally about a horizontal axis on its lower end. The
door 1d is disposed in confrontation with a conveying unit 21 (see
FIG. 2) in a main scanning direction X (the direction perpendicular
to the front surface of the housing 1a) of the housing 1a.
Next, the internal structure of the printer 1 will be described
with reference to FIG. 2.
The internal space of the housing 1a can be divided into spaces A,
B, and C in this order from the top. In the space A, two heads 2,
the conveying unit 21, and a controller 100 are disposed. The two
heads 2 eject black ink and pre-coat liquid (hereinafter, these may
be collectively referred to as "liquid"), respectively. The
conveying unit 21 conveys paper P. The controller 100 controls
operations of each section of the printer 1. In the spaces B and C,
the paper supplying unit 1b and the cartridge unit 1c are disposed,
respectively. Within the printer 1, a paper conveying path along
which paper P is conveyed is formed from the paper supplying unit
1b to a paper discharging section 31 along thick arrows in FIG.
2.
The controller 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which
is an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM
(Random Access Memory: including non-volatile RAM), I/F
(Interface), and the like. The ROM stores programs executed by the
CPU, various constant data, and the like. The RAM can temporarily
store data (image data etc.) that are required when the programs
are executed. The controller 100 performs data transmission and
reception with a memory 141 and Hall elements 71 of a cartridge 40,
data transmission and reception with an external device (a personal
computer connected with the printer 1 etc.), and the like, via the
I/F.
The paper supplying unit 1b includes a paper supplying tray 23 and
a paper supplying roller 25. Of these, the paper supplying tray 23
is detachable from the housing 1a in the main scanning direction X.
The paper supplying tray 23 is a box which is opened upward, and
can accommodate paper P in a plurality of sizes. The paper
supplying roller 25 rotates by driving of a paper supplying motor
125 (see FIG. 9A) under controls by the controller 100, and picks
up paper P at the topmost position in the paper supplying tray 23.
The paper P picked up by the paper supplying roller 25 is sent to
the conveying unit 21 while being guided by guides 27a and 27b and
being nippingly held by a pair of feed rollers 26.
The conveying unit 21 includes two belt rollers 6 and 7, an
endless-type conveying belt 8 looped around the both rollers 6 and
7. The belt roller 7 is a drive roller and, under controls by the
controller 100, rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 by
driving of a conveying motor 127 (see FIG. 9A) connected with its
shaft. The belt roller 6 is a follow roller, and rotates in the
clockwise direction in FIG. 2 by following the movement of the
conveying belt 8 caused by rotation of the belt roller 7.
A platen 19 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is disposed
within the loop of the conveying belt 8 so as to confront the two
heads 2. The upper loop of the conveying belt 8 is supported by the
platen 19 from the inner peripheral surface side, so that an outer
peripheral surface 8a of the conveying belt 8 extends parallel to
lower surfaces 2a (ejecting surfaces in which a large number of
ejection ports for ejecting liquid is formed) of the two heads 2
with a predetermined gap therebetween.
A silicone layer with slight adherence is formed on the outer
peripheral surface 8a of the conveying belt 8. The paper P sent
from the paper supplying unit 1b to the conveying unit 21 is
pressed against the outer peripheral surface 8a of the conveying
belt 8 by a pressing roller 4, and is subsequently conveyed in a
sub-scanning direction Y along the thick arrows while being held on
the outer peripheral surface 8a by adhesive force.
Here, the sub-scanning direction Y is a direction parallel to the
conveying direction of paper P by the conveying unit 21. The main
scanning direction X is a direction perpendicular to the
sub-scanning direction Y and parallel to a horizontal surface. Each
of the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y
is perpendicular to a vertical direction Z.
When the paper P passes a position directly below each head 2, the
heads 2 are driven under controls by the controller 100 so that
liquid (black ink, and pre-coat liquid depending on situations) is
ejected toward the top surface of the paper P from the lower
surface 2a of each head 2, thereby recording a desired image on the
paper P. Then, the paper P is separated from the outer peripheral
surface 8a of the conveying belt 8 by a separation plate 5, is
conveyed upward while being guided by guides 29a and 29b and being
nippingly held by two pairs of rollers 28, and is discharged onto
the paper discharging section 31 through an opening 30 formed at an
upper section of the housing 1a. One roller of each pair of rollers
28 rotates by driving of a feed motor 128 (see FIG. 9A) under
controls by the controller 100.
The pre-coat liquid is liquid having, for example, an effect of
improving density (an effect of improving density of ink ejected on
paper P), an effect of preventing running of ink and permeation of
ink (a phenomenon that ink ejected on the top surface of paper P
penetrates the layer of paper P and runs on the bottom surface), an
effect of improving chromogenic characteristics and quick drying
characteristics, an effect of suppressing wrinkles and curl of
paper P subsequent to ejection of ink, and the like. As the
pre-coat liquid, for example, liquid containing multivalent metal
salt such as cationic polymer, magnesium salt, etc. may be
used.
The head 2 that ejects pre-coat liquid is disposed at an upstream
side of the head 2 that ejects black ink with respect to the
conveying direction of paper P.
The head 2 is a line-type head having substantially a rectangular
parallelepiped shape elongated in the main scanning direction X
(the direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet of FIG. 2). The
two heads 2 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction Y with a
predetermined pitch, and are supported by the housing 1a via a
frame 3. A joint to which a flexible tube is attached is provided
on the upper surface of each head 2. A large number of ejection
ports is formed on the lower surface 2a of each head 2. A channel
is formed inside of each head 2 so that liquid supplied from a
corresponding reservoir 42 of the cartridge 40 can reach the
ejection ports via the flexible tube and the joint.
The cartridge unit 1c includes a tray 35 and one cartridge 40
disposed within the tray 35. The cartridge 40 includes two
reservoirs 42 that accommodate black ink and pre-coat liquid,
respectively (see FIG. 4). Liquid accommodated in each reservoir 42
of the cartridge 40 is supplied to a corresponding one of the heads
2 via the flexible tube and the joint.
The tray 35 is detachable from the housing 1a in the main scanning
direction X in a state in which the cartridge 40 is disposed
inside. Accordingly, a user of the printer 1 can replace the
cartridge 40 in the tray 35 in a state in which the tray 35 is
removed from the housing 1a.
The configuration of the cartridge 40 will be described with
reference to FIGS. 3 through 7.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cartridge 40 includes a housing 41,
a black ink unit 40B for black ink, a pre-coat liquid unit 40P for
pre-coat liquid, the memory 141, and a board 142. Each of the units
40B and 40P includes the reservoir 42, a supply pipe 43, a plug 50,
a valve 60, a sensor unit 70, and the like, and has the same
configuration (see FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B).
As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 41 has a rectangular parallelepiped
shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the housing 41 is divided
to form two chambers 41a and 41b. The reservoir 42 of each of the
units 40B and 40P is disposed in the chamber 41a at the right side.
The supply pipe 43 of each of the units 40B and 40P is disposed in
the chamber 41b at the left side.
The reservoir 42 is a pouch that stores liquid. The reservoir 42 of
the black ink unit 40B stores black ink, and the reservoir 42 of
the pre-coat liquid unit 40P stores pre-coat liquid. An opening
section of the reservoir 42 is connected with a base end of the
supply pipe 43.
The supply pipe 43 defines a supply channel 43a (see FIGS. 5A and
5B) for supplying the head 2 with liquid stored in the reservoir
42. As shown in FIG. 4, a distal end of the supply pipe 43
protrudes outside of the housing 41. The distal end of the supply
pipe 43 is provided with the plug 50 made of elastic material such
as rubber in a compressed state, so as to close the opening 43b of
the supply channel 43a at the opposite side from the reservoir 42
(see FIGS. 5A and 5B). A cap 46 is provided outside of the distal
end of the supply pipe 43 and the plug 50. An opening 46a is formed
at the center of the cap 46, so that a front surface (the surface
at the opposite side from a back surface in confrontation with the
valve 60) of the plug 50 is exposed through the opening 46a.
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the valve 60 is disposed at the supply
channel 43a and includes an O-ring 61 and a valve main body 62.
As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6, the valve main body 62 is a
magnetic body of a cylindrical shape having an axis in the
sub-scanning direction Y.
As shown in FIG. 6, a portion of the supply pipe 43 at which the
valve main body 62 is disposed has a cylindrical shape having flat
upper and lower walls and having a cross-section elongated in the
main scanning direction X, the cross-section being perpendicular to
the sub-scanning direction Y. Each of inner surfaces of the supply
pipe 43 at both sides in the main scanning direction X is formed
with a protrusion 43p that protrudes inward in the main scanning
direction X. Each protrusion 43p extends in the sub-scanning
direction Y over a range in which the valve main body 62 is
movable. The valve main body 62 is supported by the protrusions 43p
and the upper and lower walls of the supply pipe 43, and is
positioned at the center of the supply channel 43a in the
cross-section. A channel is secured between the valve main body 62
and the supply pipe 43 at portions except contact portions where
the valve main body 62 is in contact with the protrusions 43p and
the upper and lower walls of the supply pipe 43.
The O-ring 61 is made of elastic material such as rubber, and is
fixed to a front surface of the valve main body 62 (the surface
that faces the plug 50).
The valve 60 is urged toward an opening 43y by a coil spring 63.
The coil spring 63 has one end fixed to a base end of the supply
pipe 43 and another end in contact with a back surface of the valve
main body 62.
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the valve 60 is in a closed position for
closing the supply channel 43a, the O-ring 61 is in contact with a
portion (valve seat) 43z that protrudes from one end (the end
closer to the opening 43b) of a small diameter portion 43x of the
supply pipe 43 toward the center of the supply pipe 43 in a radial
direction, so that the opening 43y of one end of the small diameter
portion 43x is sealed. With this arrangement, fluid communication
between the reservoir 42 and the outside via the supply channel 43a
is blocked. At this time, the O-ring 61 is deformed elastically by
urging force of the coil spring 63.
The sensor unit 70 includes the Hall element 71 and a magnet 72.
The magnet 72 (magnetic-field generating member) is for generating
a magnetic field. The Hall element 71 is a magnetic sensor that
converts inputted magnetic field into an electric signal. In the
present embodiment, the Hall element 71 generates a potential
proportional to magnitude of a magnetic field that changes due to
movement of the valve main body 62 (a magnetic body and a movable
member) (see FIG. 14B). The Hall element 71 is disposed in a
magnetic field created by the magnet 72 and the valve main body 62
(cooperate to serve as a magnetic-field forming section) (see FIG.
5A).
As shown in FIG. 5A, the Hall element 71 and the magnet 72 are
fixed to upper and lower walls of the supply pipe 43, respectively,
and confront each other in the vertical direction Z.
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the valve 60 is in a closed position, the
Hall element 71 and the magnet 72 confront each other with the
valve main body 62 interposed therebetween. That is, the valve main
body 62 is at a position between the Hall element 71 and the magnet
72. At this time, a magnetic field generated by the magnet 72
reaches the Hall element 71 effectively via the valve main body 62.
Accordingly, the magnetic field detected by the Hall element 71 is
strong, and the Hall element 71 generates a high potential.
When the valve 60 moves from the closed position shown in FIG. 5A
to an open position shown in FIG. 5B where the supply channel 43a
is opened, the valve main body 62 moves to a position that does not
confront the Hall element 71 and the magnet 72 (that is, a position
not between the Hall element 71 and the magnet 72) in the vertical
direction Z. With this movement, the magnetic field detected by the
Hall element 71 becomes weaker, and the potential generated by the
Hall element 71 becomes lower.
In this way, the valve main body 62 is linearly movable between an
open position where fluid communication between the inside and the
outside of the reservoir 42 is allowed and a closed position where
fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the
reservoir 42 is prohibited. Thus, the open position and the closed
position can be switched with a simple configuration of linear
movement of the valve main body 62.
The controller 100 receives a signal of a potential generated by
the Hall element 71 through sensor-signal output terminals 170c and
171 c and, based on the potential, determines whether the cartridge
40 is mounted at a predetermined position in the space C and
whether the position of the valve 60 is the open position or the
closed position. Detailed descriptions will be provided later in
terms of potentials generated by the Hall element 71 (output values
from the Hall element 71) and the specific method of the
above-described determination by the controller 100 based on the
potentials.
As shown in FIG. 4, the board 142 is provided on an outer surface
of a side wall of the housing 41 at the downstream side in a
mounting direction M of the cartridge 40 into the space C
(hereinafter, simply referred to as "mounting direction M"). In the
present embodiment, the mounting direction M is a direction in
parallel with the main scanning direction X.
The memory 141 is disposed at the back side of the board 142. The
memory 141 is an EEPROM or the like, and stores data relating to
the cartridge 40. Specifically, the memory 141 preliminarily stores
data such as a liquid amount (an amount of liquid within each
reservoir 42 in a brand-new cartridge 40), sensor output values
(output values Vh and V1 from each Hall element 71; see FIGS. 14A
and 14B), and a manufacturing date (date, month, and year on which
the cartridge 40 is manufactured). The sensor output values are
stored in the memory 141 at the time of manufacture or recycling of
the cartridge 40, as data unique to the cartridge 40. Further, when
the cartridge 40 is mounted on the printer 1, the controller 100
can write, in the memory 141, data relating to a used amount of
liquid (a used amount of liquid within each reservoir 42, that is,
an amount of liquid ejected from each head 2), a number of
insertion of hollow needle (a number by which a hollow needle 153
is inserted in the plug 50), a number of recorded sheets (a number
of sheets of paper P on which recording is performed with liquid
within the cartridge 40), a cumulative usage period (a time period
during which the cartridge 40 is mounted on the printer 1, and is
the same as a time period during which the hollow needle 153 is
inserted in the supply channel 43a), and the like. When the
cartridge 40 is mounted on the printer 1, the controller 100 can
also read data stored in the memory 141.
As shown in FIG. 7, eight terminals 170c through 177c are provided
on a surface of the board 142. All of the terminals 170c through
177c have the same size and shape, and are exposed on an outer
surface of the cartridge 40. Each of the terminals 170c through
177c has a rectangular shape with two short sides parallel to the
sub-scanning direction Y and two long sides parallel to the
vertical direction Z. The terminals 170c through 177c are arranged
in two rows.
Center-to-center distances x0-x3 between each terminal 170c-173c
and the terminal 174c have relationship of x1<x0<x2<x3.
Shortest distances y0-y3 between outer edges of each terminal
170c-173c and the terminal 174c have relationship of
y1<y0<y2<y3. Here, xn (n=0-3) denotes a center-to-center
distance between a terminal 17nc and the terminal 174c, and yn
(n=0-3) denotes a shortest distance between the outer edges of the
terminal 17nc and the terminal 174c.
As shown in FIG. 9A, a sensor-signal output terminal (SB) 170c is
electrically connected with the Hall element 71 of the black ink
unit 40B. A sensor-signal output terminal (SP) 171c is electrically
connected with the Hall element 71 of the pre-coat liquid unit 40P.
A data output terminal (DO) 172c and a data input terminal (DI)
173c are electrically connected with the memory 141. A power-source
terminal (V) 174c is electrically connected with the two Hall
elements 71 and the memory 141. Three ground terminals (G) 175c,
176c, and 177c are electrically connected with the memory 141, the
Hall element 71 of the pre-coat liquid unit 40P, and the Hall
element 71 of the black ink unit 40B, respectively.
As shown in FIGS. 8A through 8C, a board 182 is provided on a wall
surface perpendicular to the mounting direction M (the main
scanning direction X), the wall surface being one of wall surfaces
defining the space C of the housing 1a. The board 182 has
substantially the same size as the board 142, and is disposed at a
position confronting the board 142 when the cartridge 40 is mounted
to a predetermined position in the space C (see FIG. 8B). As shown
in FIGS. 12 and 13, a base material 201 is provided on a surface of
the board 182. Eight terminals 170p through 177p corresponding to
eight terminals 170c through 177c, respectively, are provided on
the base material 201.
As shown in FIG. 13, each of the terminals 170p through 177p
includes a leaf spring having substantially a C-shape in
cross-section. One end 205 of each of the terminals 170p through
177p is a fixed end that is fixed to the board 182, and is
electrically connected with the board 182. Another end 203 of each
of the terminals 170p through 177p is a free end that can bend with
a part 204 as a fulcrum. The another end 203 is urged upward in
FIG. 13 (that is, the direction approaching the terminals 170c
through 177c of the cartridge 40 mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C).
The terminals 170p through 177p are arranged in a mirror symmetry
pattern with the pattern of the terminals 170c through 177c shown
in FIG. 7, so as to make contact with the terminals 170c through
177c, respectively, when the cartridge 40 is mounted at the
predetermined position in the space C. Each of the terminals 170p
through 177p is arranged so that each top portion 202 makes contact
with the center of a corresponding one of the terminals 170c
through 177c.
As shown in FIG. 9A, a sensor-signal receiving terminal (SB) 170p,
a sensor-signal receiving terminal (SP) 171p, a data receiving
terminal (DO) 172p, and a data transmitting terminal (DI) 173p are
electrically connected with the controller 100. A power-source
potential input terminal (V) 174p is electrically connected with a
power source 158. Three ground-potential input terminals (G) 175p,
176p, and 177p are connected with ground. The power source 158 is
provided in the housing 1a.
Here, a potential received by the controller 100 from the Hall
element 71 will be described while referring to FIG. 9B. FIG. 9B is
a diagram schematically showing a part of the electrical
configuration in FIG. 9A. Note that, although the Hall element 71
for black ink will be described here, the same goes for the Hall
element 71 for pre-coat liquid. As shown in FIG. 9B, the controller
100 is connected with ground via a resistance R (not shown in FIG.
9A). Hence, in a state where the cartridge 40 is not mounted on the
printer 1 (a state where the circuit is cut off in the vertical
dotted line in the center of FIG. 9B), a ground potential is
inputted to the controller 100. On the other hand, in a state where
the cartridge 40 is mounted on the printer 1, an output potential
of the Hall element 71 (a sensor signal) is inputted to the
controller 100 via the sensor-signal output terminal 170c and the
sensor-signal receiving terminal 170p.
Next, a process in which the cartridge 40 is mounted to the printer
1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A through 14B. In
FIGS. 8A through 8C, illustration of the tray 35 is omitted. In
FIGS. 9A and 9B, power supply lines are indicated by thick lines,
and signal lines are indicated by thin lines.
Before the cartridge 40 is mounted to the printer 1, in each of the
units 40B and 40P, the hollow needle 153 is not inserted in the
plug 50, and the valve 60 is held in a closed position (see FIG.
5A). At this stage, electrical connection between the terminals
170c through 177c and the terminals 170p through 177p,
respectively, are not achieved. Accordingly, the Hall elements 71
and the memory 141 are not supplied with electrical power, and the
controller 100 cannot perform transmission and reception of signals
with the Hall elements 71 and the memory 141.
When the cartridge 40 is mounted to the printer 1, the user of the
printer 1 moves the tray 35 in the mounting direction M (the
direction indicated by a blanked arrow in FIG. 8A) in a state where
the cartridge 40 is placed in the tray 35 (see FIG. 2), thereby
inserting the cartridge 40 into the space C of the housing 1a. At
this time, as shown in FIG. 8B, the cartridge 40 is inserted to a
position at which the terminals 170c through 177c and the terminals
170p through 177p are in contact with each other.
At the stage of FIG. 8B, the centers of the terminals 170c through
177c make contact with the top portions 202 of the terminals 170p
through 177p, respectively, so as to achieve electrical connection
between the terminals 170c through 177c and the terminals 170p
through 177p. With this operation, a power-source potential is
inputted to the power-source terminal 174c, and electrical power is
supplied to the Hall element 71 and the memory 141. At this time, a
ground potential is inputted to the ground terminals 175c through
177c. The controller 100 can then perform reception of signals from
the Hall element 71 of the black ink unit 40B via the terminals
170c and 170p, reception of signals from the Hall element 71 of the
pre-coat liquid unit 40P via the terminals 171c and 171p, reading
of data from the memory 141 via the terminals 172c and 172p, and
writing of data to the memory 141 via the terminals 173c and
173p.
In a process in which the cartridge 40 is mounted to the printer 1,
immediately before mounting is completely finished, the centers of
the terminals 170c through 177c make contact with the top portions
202 of the terminals 170p through 177p. Subsequently, before
mounting is completely finished, the terminals 170p through 177p
are pressed by the terminals 170c through 177c so that the another
end 203 bends downward with the part 204 as the fulcrum, thereby
shifting from a state shown by solid lines in FIG. 13 to a state
shown by double-dot chain lines. The top portions 202 of the
terminals 170p through 177p contact the terminals 170c through 177c
in contact regions (regions surrounded by single-dot chain lines in
FIG. 7) including the centers of the terminals 170c through 177c
when mounting is completely finished. From a state immediately
before mounting is completely finished to a state when mounting is
completely finished, the contact regions of the top portions 202 on
the terminals in the upper row (the terminals 175c, 170c, 171c, and
174c) slide upward gradually from positions slightly below the
regions surrounded by single-dot chain lines in FIG. 7, whereas the
contact regions of the top portions 202 on the terminals in the
lower row (the terminals 176c, 173c, 172c, and 177c) slide downward
gradually from positions slightly above the regions surrounded by
single-dot chain lines in FIG. 7.
A support body 154 is disposed on a wall surface perpendicular to
the sub-scanning direction Y and confronting the two caps 46 when
the cartridge 40 is mounted to the predetermined position in the
space C, the wall surface being one of wall surfaces defining the
space C of the housing 1a. The support body 154 supports the two
hollow needle 153 and is movable in the sub-scanning direction Y
relative to the housing 1a. The two hollow needles 153 correspond
to the head 2 that ejects black ink and the head 2 that ejects
pre-coat liquid, respectively, and are in fluid communication with
the flexible tube attached to the joint of the corresponding head
2.
At the stage of FIG. 8B, the cartridge 40 is separated from the
hollow needles 153, and each reservoir 42 is not in fluid
communication with the channel of the corresponding head 2.
The controller 100 determines whether the cartridge 40 is mounted
at the predetermined position in the space C, based on an output
value from the Hall element 71 (S1 in FIG. 11).
Here, changes of the output value from the Hall element 71, in a
process where the cartridge 40 is mounted to the printer 1, will be
described while referring to FIG. 14A. In FIG. 14A, the horizontal
axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates output values
from the Hall element 71. It is assumed that time 0 is a time point
at which the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position
in the space C.
Before the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position in
the space C (when the cartridge is not mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C), the output value from the Hall element 71
is kept at a ground potential (0V) (see a "cartridge not mounted"
range shown in FIG. 14A). When the cartridge 40 is mounted at the
predetermined position in the space C to achieve electrical
connection between the terminals 170c through 177c and the
terminals 170p through 177p, the output value from the Hall element
71 increases from the ground potential to Vh. After that, in a
process where the valve 60 moves from the closed position to the
open position, the output value from the Hall element 71 gradually
decreases from Vh to V1 (see a "cartridge mounted" range shown in
FIG. 14A). During a period in which the cartridge 40 is mounted at
the predetermined position in the space C, the output value from
the Hall element 71 is higher than the ground potential and lower
than the power-source potential (Vmax)
(0<Vmin<V1.ltoreq.V.ltoreq.Vh<Vmax), regardless of the
position of the valve 60.
If the output value V from the Hall element 71 is higher than or
equal to Vmin and lower than Vmax (Vmin.ltoreq.V<Vmax), the
controller 100 determines that the cartridge 40 is mounted at the
predetermined position in the space C (S1: YES). If the output
value V from the Hall element 71 is lower than Vmin (V<Vmin),
the controller 100 determines that the cartridge 40 is not mounted
at the predetermined position in the space C (S1: NO).
The values of Vmax and Vmin are stored in the ROM of the controller
100. In S1, the controller 100 receives signals from the Hall
element 71 of each unit 40B, 40P, reads out the values of Vmax and
Vmin from the ROM, and makes the above-described determination
based on these values and the output value from the Hall element
71.
Note that there are two Hall elements 71 in the present embodiment.
Hence, the controller 100 determines that the cartridge 40 is
mounted at the predetermined position in the space C when the
above-described mounting condition (Vmin.ltoreq.V<Vmax) is
satisfied for both of the two Hall elements 71. Otherwise (for
example, in a case where the mounting condition is satisfied for
one of the Hall elements 71 but the mounting condition is not
satisfied for the other one of the Hall elements 71, etc.), the
controller 100 determines that the cartridge 40 is not mounted at
the predetermined position in the space C.
If the controller 100 determines that the cartridge 40 is mounted
at the predetermined position in the space C as described above
(S1: YES), the controller 100 stores time at that time (mount time)
in the RAM of the controller 100 (S2). Subsequent to S2, the
controller 100 reads data stored in the memory 141 of the cartridge
40 (data relating to the liquid amount, the sensor output value,
the manufacturing date, the used amount of liquid, the number of
insertion of hollow needle, the number of recorded sheets, the
cumulative usage period, and the like) (S3).
Subsequent to S3, the controller 100 determines whether reading in
S3 is abnormal (S4). If reading is not performed normally in S3,
the controller 100 determines that reading in S3 is abnormal (S4:
YES) and uses an output section 160 (see FIG. 9A) such as a
display, a speaker, etc. of the printer 1 to report an error (S5).
Subsequent to S5, the controller 100 stops operations of each
section of the printer 1 (S6).
If reading is abnormal, it is presumed that the memory 141 is
damaged by short circuit between the terminal 172c and the terminal
174c, or that a failure occurs with communication function of the
controller 100 by short circuit between the terminal 173c and the
terminal 174c.
If reading is performed normally in S3, the controller 100
determines that reading is not abnormal (S4: NO) and controls a
moving mechanism 155 (see FIG. 9A) to move the support body 154
together with the two hollow needles 153 supported by the support
body 154 in the sub-scanning direction Y (the direction indicated
by a filled arrow in FIG. 8C) (S7).
With movement of the hollow needle 153 in S7, as shown in FIG. 5B,
in each of the units 40B and 40P, first, the hollow needle 153
penetrates a substantial center of the plug 50 via the opening 46a
in the sub-scanning direction Y.
At this time, an opening 153b formed at the distal end of the
hollow needle 153 is located in the supply channel 43a, so that a
channel 153a in the hollow needle 153 and the supply channel 43a
are in fluid communication with each other via the opening 153b.
Although a hole is formed in the plug 50 by the hollow needle 153
at this time, a portion of the plug 50 around the hole closely
contacts the outer circumferential surface of the hollow needle 153
by elasticity. This suppresses liquid leakage from between the hole
in the plug 50 and the hollow needle 153.
Subsequently, the distal end of the hollow needle 153 abuts the
valve main body 62. Then, further penetration of the hollow needle
153 into the supply channel 43a causes the valve main body 62 to
move together with the O-ring 61 and causes the O-ring 61 to
separate from the valve seat 43z (see FIG. 5B). At this time, the
position of the valve 60 changes from a closed position to an open
position.
When the valve 60 is in the open position, fluid communication
between the reservoir 42 and the outside is allowed via the supply
channel 43a. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the plug 50 is
penetrated by the hollow needle 153 and the valve 60 is in the open
position, the reservoir 42 is in fluid communication with the
channel of the head 2 via the supply channel 43a, the channel 153a,
and the like.
Subsequent to S7, the controller 100 receives a signal from the
Hall element 71 of each of the units 40B and 40P (S8). Subsequent
to S8, the controller 100 determines whether the valve 60 is
disposed at the open position in each of the units 40B and 40P
(that is, whether fluid communication is formed between the
reservoir 42 and the head 2 so that liquid is supplied from the
reservoir 42 to the head 2 via the hollow needle 153), based on the
output values Vh and V1 read from the memory 141 in S3 and on the
signal received in S8 (S9). In the present embodiment,
determination in S9 is performed as described below.
That is, as shown in FIG. 14A, the controller 100 determines that
the valve 60 is in the open position (S9: YES) if the output value
V from the Hall element 71 received in S8 is lower than or equal to
a threshold value Vt (V.ltoreq.Vt) calculated based on the output
values Vh and V1 read in S3 (for example, Vt=(Vh+V1)/2), and
determines that the valve 60 is in the closed position (S9: NO) if
the output value V from the Hall element 71 exceeds the threshold
value Vt (Vt<V).
As shown in FIG. 14B, the Hall element 71 of the present embodiment
generates a potential higher than the ground potential
(V=Vmin>0) when the Hall element 71 is disposed in a magnetic
field of magnitude 0.
If a predetermined period elapses while the valve 60 of each of the
units 40B and 40P is not disposed in the open position (S10: YES),
the controller 100 reports an error (S5) and stops operations of
each section of the printer 1 (S6).
In this case, it is presumed that the Hall element 71 of the black
ink unit 40B is damaged by short circuit between the terminal 170c
and the terminal 174c, that the Hall element 71 of the pre-coat
liquid unit 40P is damaged by short circuit between the terminal
171c and the terminal 174c, that a failure occurs with
communication function of the controller 100 by short circuit
between the terminal 173c and the terminal 174c, or that a failure
occurs with the plug 50, the valve 60, the hollow needle 153 and
the moving mechanism 155 of the printer 1, etc.
If the controller 100 determines that the valve 60 of each of the
units 40B and 40P is disposed in the open position (S9: YES), the
controller 100 writes, in the memory 141, data indicative of a
value obtained by adding one to the number of insertion of hollow
needle read in S3 (S11). Subsequent to S11, the controller 100
determines whether a print command from an external device has been
received (S12).
If a print command is received (S12: YES), the controller 100
controls driving of a paper supplying motor 125, a conveying motor
127, the feed motor 128, the head 2, and the like to perform
recording for each page of paper P (S13). Subsequent to S13, the
controller 100 calculates the used amount of liquid for each page
of paper P (that is, the amount of each liquid of black ink and
pre-coat liquid ejected for one page of the paper P that is
recorded this time) (S14).
Subsequent to S14, the controller 100 writes, in the memory 141,
data indicative of the used amount of each liquid (the amount of
liquid in each reservoir 42 that has been used since the cartridge
40 is a brand-new cartridge, that is, a value obtained by adding
the used amount of liquid for each page calculated in S14 to the
used amount of liquid read in S3) and the number of recorded sheets
(the number of sheets of paper P on which recording has been
performed with the cartridge 40 since the cartridge 40 is a
brand-new cartridge, that is, a value obtained by adding one to the
number of recorded sheets read in S3) (S15).
Subsequent to S15, the controller 100 determines whether writing in
S15 is abnormal (S16). If writing is not performed normally in S15,
the controller 100 determines that writing in S15 is abnormal (S16:
YES), reports an error (S5), and stops operations of each section
of the printer 1 (S6).
If writing is abnormal, it is presumed that the memory 141 is
damaged by short circuit between the terminal 172c and the terminal
174c, or that a failure occurs with communication function of the
controller 100 by short circuit between the terminal 173c and the
terminal 174c.
If writing is performed normally in S15, the controller 100
determines that writing is not abnormal (S16: NO), and determines
whether there are recording data for the next page, based on image
data included in the print command received in S12 (S17).
If there are recording data for the next page (S17: YES), the
controller 100 returns to S13 and repeats the above-described
series of steps S13 through S16. On the other hand, if there are no
recording data for the next page (S17: NO), the controller 100
returns to S12 and waits until a print command is received
again.
Note that the printer 1 includes a lock mechanism (not shown) for
locking the cartridge 40. If the controller 100 determines that the
cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position in the space
C (S1: YES), the controller 100 drives the lock mechanism
concurrently with the process in S2, for example, to lock the
cartridge 40 together with the tray 35 at the predetermined
position.
In order to dismount the cartridge 40 from the printer 1, the user
of the printer 1 presses a lock release button. If the controller
100 detects pressing of the lock release button, the controller 100
first controls the moving mechanism 155 (see FIG. 9A) to move the
support body 154 in the direction opposite from the filled arrow in
FIG. 8C so that the support body 154 returns from the position of
FIG. 8C to the position of FIG. 8B. At this time, in each of the
units 40B and 40P, as the hollow needle 153 moves in the leftward
direction in FIG. 5B, urging force of the coil spring 63 causes the
valve 60 to move in the leftward direction in FIG. 5B to make
contact with the valve seat 43z. With this operation, the position
of the valve 60 shifts from the open position to the closed
position. The controller 100 determines that the valve 60 is in the
closed position when the output value from the Hall element 71
exceeds the threshold value Vt in each of the units 40B and 40P
and, based on that time (dismount time) and mount time stored in
S2, calculates the cumulative usage period (a time period from the
mount time until the dismount time). The controller 100 writes, in
the memory 141, data indicative of a value obtained by adding the
cumulative usage period read in S3 to the calculated cumulative
usage period (that is, the value is the cumulative usage period
during which the cartridge 40 is mounted on the printer 1 since the
cartridge 40 is a brand-new cartridge). Subsequently, the hollow
needle 153 is pulled out of the plug 50. At this time, a hole
formed in the plug 50 by the hollow needle 153 becomes small to an
extent that liquid leakage is suppressed, due to elasticity of a
portion of the plug 50 around the hole.
Subsequently, the controller 100 drives the lock mechanism to
unlock the cartridge 40. With this operation, the user can pull the
tray 35 out of the space C. When the tray 35 is pulled out of the
space C, the board 142 separates from the board 182. Thus,
electrical connections between the terminals 170c through 177c and
the terminals 170p through 177p are disconnected, which stops power
supply to the Hall elements 71 and the memory 141 and which
prevents the controller 100 from performing transmission and
reception of signals with the Hall elements 71 and the memory
141.
The controller 100 displays a value obtained by subtracting the
used amount of liquid written in the memory 141 in S15 from the
liquid amount read in S3, as the remaining amount of each liquid,
on the display of the printer 1.
As shown in FIG. 10, the controller 100 serves as a communication
section that communicates with the cartridge 40 mounted in the
space C, and also serves as each functioning section corresponding
to processes in FIG. 11. A mount detecting section M1 corresponds
to S1, a reading section M2 corresponds to S3, an abnormal-reading
determining section M3 corresponds to S4, a reporting section M4
corresponds to S5, a recording prohibiting section M5 corresponds
to S6, a moving section M6 corresponds to S7, a receiving section
M7 corresponds to S8, an abnormal-reception determining section M8
corresponds to S9 and S10, a writing section M9 corresponds to S11
and S15, an abnormal-writing determining section M10 corresponds to
S16, a recording controlling section M11 corresponds to S13, and a
position determining section M12 corresponds to S9.
As described above, according to the first embodiment, in order to
determine whether the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C (S1 in FIG. 11), reliability in mounting
determination can be secured while utilizing the Hall element 71
that is provided for a different purpose from the mounting
determination (a purpose of determining the position of the valve
60 in the present embodiment). That is, it is determined whether
the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position in the
apparatus main body, by utilizing the sensor (the Hall element 71
in the present embodiment) configured to generate a potential based
on a position of the movable member that is movable in the supply
channel 43a (the valve main body 62 in the present embodiment).
Hence, a cost increase of the cartridge 40 can be suppressed.
Further, even if the sensor generates a potential that is not
generated at normal times, due to movement malfunction of the
movable member, no erroneous determination is made, thereby
improving reliability in determination.
Specifically, for example, in a configuration where the output
value from the Hall element 71 changes as shown in FIG. 15A
(comparative example), when the cartridge 40 is mounted at the
predetermined position in the space C, there are a case where the
output value from the Hall element 71 is higher than the ground
potential (mainly, a closed state of the valve) and a case where
the output value from the Hall element 71 is the same as the ground
potential (mainly, an open state of the valve). When the cartridge
40 is not mounted at the predetermined position in the space C, the
output value from the Hall element 71 (actually, the potential
inputted to the controller 100) is the same as the ground potential
(see FIG. 9B). That is, potentials that can be generated by the
Hall element 71 when the cartridge 40 is mounted at the
predetermined position in the space C include a potential that is
inputted to the controller 100 when the cartridge 40 is not mounted
at the predetermined position in the space C.
Note that, in a state where the cartridge 40 is not mounted at the
predetermined position in the space C, the printer 1 and the
cartridge 40 are not electrically connected with each other, and
thus the output value from the Hall element 71 is not inputted to
the controller 100. In FIGS. 14A, 15A, and 17, it is labeled
"Output from Hall element of cartridge" for convenience, even in a
state where the cartridge is not mounted.
In this configuration, if the cartridge 40 is mounted in the space
C while the valve 60 remains at the open position (for example, in
a case where a once-mounted cartridge 40 is mounted again, a
failure occurs, such as that the valve 60 is stuck in the supply
channel 43a when returning from the open position to the closed
position, and the failure remains unresolved), the Hall element 71
outputs a potential that is the same as the ground potential. The
ground potential is a potential that is inputted to the controller
100 when the cartridge 40 is not mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C. Hence, in this case, although the
cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position in the space
C, the controller 100 determines that the cartridge is not
mounted.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A,
the output value from the Hall element 71 is always higher than the
ground potential when the cartridge 40 is mounted at the
predetermined position in the space C, and the potential inputted
to the controller 100 is the same as the ground potential when the
cartridge 40 is not mounted at the predetermined position in the
space C. That is, the potentials that can be generated by the Hall
element 71 when the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C do not include the potential that is
inputted to the controller 100 when the cartridge 40 is not mounted
at the predetermined position in the space C. In other words, the
potential that can be generated by the Hall element 71 when the
cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position in the space
C is distinguishable from the potential that is inputted to the
controller 100 when the cartridge 40 is not mounted at the
predetermined position in the space C.
In the present embodiment, even if the cartridge 40 is mounted in
the space C while the valve 60 remains at the open position, the
Hall element 71 does not output a potential that is the same as the
ground potential (the potential that is inputted to the controller
100 when the cartridge 40 is not mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C). Accordingly, the controller 100 does not
determine that the cartridge 40 is not mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C despite a fact that the cartridge 40 is
mounted at the predetermined position in the space C. That is, the
above-described error in mounting determination can be suppressed,
and reliability in mounting determination can be secured.
As in the comparative example shown in FIG. 15B, in a case where
such a Hall element is adopted that, when disposed in a magnetic
field of magnitude 0, generates a potential that is the same as a
ground potential, in order to satisfy a condition that "the output
value from the Hall element is higher than the ground potential
regardless of the position of the valve 60", a moving range of the
valve 60 needs to be set such that the moving range does not
include a position at which a magnetic field becomes magnitude
0.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14B,
such a Hall element 71 is adopted that, when disposed in a magnetic
field of magnitude 0, generates a potential that is higher than a
ground potential (V=Vmin>0). Hence, without making a special
arrangement as described above, the condition is satisfied that
"the output value from the Hall element 71 is higher than the
ground potential regardless of the position of the valve 60". That
is, the degree of freedom of design improves.
There are cases that the power-source potential input terminal 174p
and the sensor-signal receiving terminal 170p, 171p are
short-circuited, and that the controller 100 receives a
power-source potential from the sensor-signal receiving terminal
170p, 171p. The controller 100 recognizes the potential received
from the sensor-signal receiving terminal 170p, 171p as the
potential outputted from the sensor-signal output terminal 170c,
171c (that is, the potential generated by the Hall element 71).
For example, in a configuration where the output value from the
Hall element 71 changes as shown in FIG. 15A, if a power-source
potential is received from the sensor-signal receiving terminal
170p, 171p due to the above-described short-circuit, the controller
100 determines that the cartridge 40 is mounted at the
predetermined position in the space C although the cartridge 40 is
not mounted. This is because the power-source potential (Vmax) is a
potential that can be generated by the Hall element 71 when the
cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position in the space
C.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A,
when the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position in
the space C, the output value from the Hall element 71 is always
lower than the power-source potential (Vmax). The controller 100
determines that the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C if the output value V from the Hall element
71 is higher than or equal to Vmin and lower than Vmax
(Vmin.ltoreq.V<Vmax). Hence, if the power-source potential is
received from the sensor-signal receiving terminal 170p, 171p due
to the above-described short-circuit, the controller 100 does not
determine that the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C despite a fact that the cartridge 40 is not
mounted at the predetermined position in the space C. This is
because the power-source potential (Vmax) is a potential outside a
range in which it is determined that the cartridge 40 is mounted at
the predetermined position in the space C. That is, the
above-described error in mounting determination can be suppressed,
and reliability in mounting determination can be secured more
reliably.
The power-source terminal 174c, the ground terminals 175c through
177c, and the sensor-signal output terminals 170c and 171 c are
arranged on the same plane. With this arrangement, electrical
connection between the power-source terminal 174c and the
power-source potential input terminal 174p, electrical connection
between the ground terminals 175c through 177c and the
ground-potential input terminals 175p through 177p, and electrical
connection between the sensor-signal output terminals 170c, 171 c
and the sensor-signal receiving terminals 170p, 171p can be
performed substantially at the same time. Thus, reliability in
mounting determination can be secured even more reliably.
Next, second through fourth embodiments of the invention will be
described while referring to FIGS. 16A through 19B, wherein like
parts and components are designated by the same reference numerals
to avoid duplicating descriptions.
First, the second embodiment of the invention will be described
while referring to FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 17. The second embodiment
has substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment,
except the positions of the Hall element 71 and the magnet 72 and
the process S9 in FIG. 11.
As can be seen from comparison between FIGS. 16A, 16B and FIGS. 5A,
5B, the Hall element 71 and the magnet 72 in the second embodiment
are located at positions further spaced away from the plug 50 in
the sub-scanning direction Y, than in the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 16A, when the valve 60 is at the closed position,
the Hall element 71 and the magnet 72 do not confront the valve
main body 62 in the vertical direction Z. That is, the valve main
body 62 is located at a position not between the Hall element 71
and the magnet 72. At this time, the magnetic field detected by the
Hall element 71 is weak, and the Hall element 71 generates a low
potential.
When the valve 60 moves from the closed position shown in FIG. 16A
to the open position shown in FIG. 16B, the valve main body 62
moves to a position confronting the Hall element 71 and the magnet
72 in the vertical direction Z (that is, a position between the
Hall element 71 and the magnet 72). With this movement, the
magnetic field generated by the magnet 72 reaches the Hall element
71 efficiently via the valve main body 62. Accordingly, the
magnetic field detected by the Hall element 71 becomes stronger,
and the potential generated by the Hall element 71 becomes
higher.
FIG. 17 shows changes of the output value from the Hall element 71
of the cartridge 40 of the second embodiment in a process in which
the cartridge 40 is mounted onto the printer 1. In FIG. 17, the
horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the
output value from the Hall element 71. Time 0 is a time point at
which the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position in
the space C.
Before the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position in
the space C (when the cartridge is not mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C), the output value from the Hall element 71
is kept at a ground potential (0V) (see the "Cartridge not mounted"
range shown in FIG. 17). The output value from the Hall element 71
increases from the ground potential to V1 when the cartridge 40 is
mounted at the predetermined position in the space C and electrical
connections between the terminals 170c through 177c and terminals
170p through 177p are achieved. After that, the output value from
the Hall element 71 increases gradually from V1 to Vh in a process
in which the valve 60 moves from the closed position to the open
position. While the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined
position in the space C, the output value V from the Hall element
71 is higher than the ground potential and lower than the
power-source potential (Vmax)
(0<Vmin<V1.ltoreq.V.ltoreq.Vh<Vmax) regardless of the
position of the valve 60 (see the "Cartridge mounted" range shown
in FIG. 17).
If the output value V from the Hall element 71 is higher than or
equal to Vmin and lower than Vmax (Vmin.ltoreq.V<Vmax), the
controller 100 determines that the cartridge 40 is mounted at the
predetermined position in the space C (S1: YES). If the output
value V from the Hall element 71 is lower than Vmin (V<Vmin),
the controller 100 determines that the cartridge 40 is not mounted
at the predetermined position in the space C (S1: NO).
In S9 of FIG. 11, if the output value from the Hall element 71 is
lower than or equal to the threshold value Vt, the controller 100
determines that the valve 60 is at the closed position (S9: NO). If
the output value from the Hall element 71 exceeds the threshold
value Vt, the controller 100 determines that the valve 60 is at the
open position (S9: YES).
Next, the third embodiment of the invention will be described while
referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B. The third embodiment has
substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment,
except that the magnet 72 is omitted and that the valve main body
62 of the valve 60 is made of a magnet that generates a magnetic
field, not a magnetic body.
In the third embodiment, when the valve 60 is at the closed
position as shown in FIG. 18A, the valve main body 62 (a
magnetic-field generating member and a movable member) is directly
below the Hall element 71, and the magnetic field generated by the
valve main body 62 reaches the Hall element 71. In other words, the
Hall element 71 is disposed in the magnetic field formed by the
valve main body 62 (a magnetic-field forming section). In this
state, the magnetic field detected by the Hall element 71 is
strong, and the Hall element 71 generates a high potential.
When the valve 60 moves from the closed position shown in FIG. 18A
to the open position shown in FIG. 18B, as the valve main body 62
separates from the Hall element 71, the magnetic field detected by
the Hall element 71 becomes weaker and the potential generated by
the Hall element 71 becomes lower.
The changes in the output value from the Hall element 71 in the
third embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment
(FIGS. 14A and 14B). In the present embodiment, because the valve
main body 62 serves as the magnetic-field generating member and the
movable member, reliability in mounting determination can be
improved with a simple configuration.
Next, the fourth embodiment of the invention will be described
while referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B. The fourth embodiment has
substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment,
except that the valve 60 is omitted, that the hollow needle 153 is
made of a magnetic body, and that the process S9 in FIG. 11 is
different.
As shown in FIG. 19A, when the hollow needle 153 is not inserted in
the supply channel 43a, the magnet 72 (the magnetic-field
generating member) does not confront the hollow needle 153 (the
movable member) in the vertical direction Z. That is, the hollow
needle 153 is located at a position not between the Hall element 71
and the magnet 72. At this time, the magnetic field detected by the
Hall element 71 is weak, and the Hall element 71 generates a low
potential.
As shown in FIG. 19B, when the hollow needle 153 penetrates the
plug 50 and is inserted into the supply channel 43a, the hollow
needle 153 is disposed at a position confronting the Hall element
71 and the magnet 72 in the vertical direction Z (that is, a
position between the Hall element 71 and the magnet 72). With this
movement, the magnetic field generated by the magnet 72 reaches the
Hall element 71 efficiently via the hollow needle 153. At this
time, the Hall element 71 is disposed in the magnetic field formed
by the magnet 72 and the hollow needle 153 (cooperate to serve as
the magnetic-field forming section). Accordingly, the magnetic
field detected by the Hall element 71 becomes stronger, and the
potential generated by the Hall element 71 becomes higher.
The changes in the output value from the Hall element 71 in the
fourth embodiment are similar to those in the second embodiment
(FIG. 17).
In S9 of FIG. 11, the controller 100 determines whether the hollow
needle 153 is inserted in the supply channel 43a, not whether the
valve 60 is located at the open position. Similar to the second
embodiment, if the output value from the Hall element 71 is lower
than or equal to the threshold value Vt, the controller 100
determines that the hollow needle 153 is not inserted in the supply
channel 43a (S9: NO). If the output value from the Hall element 71
exceeds the threshold value Vt, the controller 100 determines that
the hollow needle 153 is inserted in the supply channel 43a (S9:
YES). Accordingly, in the fourth embodiment, "Valve closed" and
"Valve open" in FIG. 17 should be read as "Hollow needle not
inserted" and "Hollow needle inserted", respectively.
Further, in the fourth embodiment, the position determining section
M12 determines the position of the hollow needle 153, based on the
output value from the Hall element 71.
According to the fourth embodiment, the valve is not provided at
the cartridge, and insertion of the hollow needle 153 can be
detected with a simple configuration of the magnet 72 and the Hall
element 71. Further, the open position and the closed position can
be switched with a simple configuration of linear movement
(insertion and removal) of the hollow needle 153.
With the above-described second through fourth embodiments, effects
similar to those of the first embodiment (the effect that
reliability in mounting determination can be secured while
suppressing a cost increase of the cartridge, and the like) can be
obtained.
Next, the fifth embodiment of the invention will be described while
referring to FIGS. 20 through 22A and 22B. In the cartridge 40 of
the present embodiment, a photo sensor (optical sensor) is used
instead of a magnetic sensor.
As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the cartridge 40 has a housing 41 of
substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape, an ink pouch (ink
accommodating section) 42 disposed in the housing 41 and filled
with ink therein, an ink leading pipe 43 in fluid communication
with the ink pouch 42 at one end thereof, a first valve 50, and a
second valve 60 (see FIGS. 22A and 22B).
As shown in FIG. 21, the housing 41 is defined such that two
chambers 41a and 41b are formed therein. The ink pouch 42 is
disposed in the chamber 41a at the right side. On the other hand,
the ink leading pipe 43 is disposed in the chamber 41b at the other
side.
As shown in FIGS. 21, 22A, and 22B, the ink leading pipe 43 has a
pipe 44 connected with a connection section 42a provided at the ink
pouch 42, and a pipe 45 fitted to one side (the left side) of the
pipe 44. The ink leading pipe 43 is formed with an ink channel 43a
extending in the main scanning direction and being in fluid
communication with the ink pouch 42. The both pipes 44 and 45 of
the present embodiment are made of transparent resin. Because the
pipe 45 is made of transparent resin, a photo sensor 66 described
later is capable of detecting a valve member 62.
As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, an annular flange 47 is formed at
one end of the pipe 44. As shown in FIGS. 21, 22A, and 22B, an
annular protrusion 48 having an O-ring 48a is formed at the flange
47. Thus, as shown in FIG. 21, the O-ring 48a seals between the
housing 41 and the annular protrusion 48. Note that the flange 47
is a part of the wall of the chamber 41b, and constitutes a part of
the housing 41.
As shown in FIG. 20, a contact 91 is formed on the outer surface of
the flange 47. The contact 91 is disposed to be juxtaposed to an
ink discharge port 46a described later in the sub-scanning
direction. The contact 91 is electrically connected with the photo
sensor 66 described later.
A power input section 92 is provided at the side surface of the
housing 41 at the ink discharge port 46a side. A stepped surface
41c is provided between the ink discharge port 46a and the power
input section 92 of the housing 41, the stepped surface 41c being
concaved from the flange 47 toward the ink pouch 42 in the main
scanning direction. The power input section 92 is disposed on the
stepped surface 41c. The power input section 92 is electrically
connected with the photo sensor 66. The power input section 92
supplies the photo sensor 66 with electric power by being
electrically connected with a power output section (not shown) of
the printer main body.
As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the first valve 50 is disposed in
the pipe 45 of the ink leading pipe 43. The first valve 50 has a
sealing body (elastic body) 51 that seals an opening (outlet of
ink) formed at one end (the left end) of the pipe 45, a spherical
body 52, and a coil spring 53. A lid 46 is provided at one end of
the pipe 45, so that the sealing body 51 does not come off from the
pipe 45. An ink discharge port 46a is formed in the lid 46.
One end of the coil spring 53 is in contact with the spherical body
52, and the other end of the coil spring 53 is in contact with a
stepped portion 45a formed at the other end of the pipe 45, and the
coil spring 53 constantly urges the spherical body 52 toward the
sealing body 51. In the present embodiment, the coil spring 53 is
adopted as an urging member. However, an urging member other than
the coil spring may be adopted as long as the spherical body 52 can
be urged toward the sealing body 51.
The sealing body 51 is made of elastic material such as rubber.
Further, the sealing body 51 is formed with a slit (penetrating
hole) 51a, an annular protrusion 51b, and a curved portion 51c. The
slit (penetrating hole) 51a penetrates the center of the sealing
body 51 in the main scanning direction. The annular protrusion 51b
can be fitted to one end of the pipe 45. The curved portion 51c is
a surface confronting the spherical body 52 and formed along the
outer circumferential surface of the spherical body 52 in a part
surrounded by the annular protrusion 51b. The diameter of the slit
51a is smaller than a hollow needle 153 described later. Hence,
when the hollow needle 153 is inserted in the slit 51a, the sealing
body 51 elastically deforms such that the inner circumferential
surface of the slit 51a makes close contact with the outer
circumferential surface of the hollow needle 153, so ink does not
leak from between the slit 51a and the hollow needle 153.
The inner diameter of the annular protrusion 51b is slightly
smaller than the diameter of the spherical body 52, and the slit
51a is sealed due to contact with the spherical body 52. Note that
the slit 51a is also sealed due to contact between the curved
portion 51c and the spherical body 52.
In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 22B, when the hollow needle
153 is inserted into the slit 51a through the ink discharge port
46a, the distal end of the hollow needle 153 abuts the spherical
body 52, and the spherical body 52 moves to separate from the
curved portion 51c and the annular protrusion 51b. At this time,
the first valve 50 changes from the closed state to the open state.
When the first valve 50 is in the open state, because the hole 153b
of the hollow needle 153 has passed the slit 51a, the hollow needle
153 is communicated with the ink channel 43a. On the other hand, as
the hollow needle 153 moves in a direction of pulling out of the
slit 51a, the spherical body 52 moves in a direction of approaching
the annular protrusion 51b due to urging of the coil spring 53.
Then, when the spherical body 52 makes contact with the annular
protrusion 51b, the first valve 50 changes from the open state to
the closed state. Further, as the hollow needle 153 moves in the
direction of pulling out, the spherical body 52 makes close contact
with the curved portion 51c. In this way, the first valve 50 takes
one of the open state for allowing fluid communication of the ink
leading pipe 43, and the closed state for blocking fluid
communication of the ink leading pipe 43, depending on insertion
and removal of the hollow needle 153.
As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the second valve 60 has a valve seat
61, a valve member 62, and a coil spring 63. The valve seat 61 is
made of elastic material such as rubber, and is disposed such that
its flange 61a is interposed between an annular protrusion 44a and
a stepped portion 45a, the annular protrusion 44a protruding from
the inner circumferential surface around the center of the pipe 44.
In the center of the valve seat 61, a hole (opening) 61b is formed
to penetrate in the main scanning direction, and the pipe 44 can be
communicated with the pipe 45.
One end of the coil spring 63 is in contact with the valve member
62, and the other end of the coil spring 63 is in contact with a
connection section 42a, and the coil spring 63 constantly urges the
valve member 62 toward the valve seat 61. In other words, the coil
spring 63 urges the valve member 62 in a direction toward the
sealing body 51, and the valve member 62 makes contact with the
right end portion of the valve seat 61 (opening edge of the hole
61b), thereby blocking fluid communication of the ink channel 43a.
That is, fluid communication between the pipe 44 and the pipe 45 is
blocked, and the second valve 60 becomes the closed state. At this
time, the right end portion of the valve seat 61 is elastically
deformed due to the urging force of the coil spring 63. Further,
the coil spring 63 urges the valve member 62 toward the sealing
body 51, and the elements constituting the first and second valves
50 and 60 are aligned on a straight line along the main scanning
direction. Hence, the first and second valves 50 and 60 can be
opened and closed by insertion/removal of the hollow needle 153
described later into/from the sealing body 51. In addition, the
second valve 60 can be constituted from a simple configuration, so
that failures of the second valve 60 can be reduced.
The valve member 62 has a cylindrical shape, and is slidable on the
inner circumferential surface of the pipe 44. Further, the end
surface of the valve member 62 at the connection section 42a side
has a convex shape that its center protrudes in the main scanning
direction. And, by fitting the coil spring 63 to this protruding
portion of the valve member 62, the coil spring 63 is fixed to the
valve member 62.
A pushing member 70 is disposed in the ink leading pipe 43. When
the hollow pipe 153 is inserted, the pushing member 70 pushes and
moves the valve member 62 in a direction opposite the urging
direction of the coil spring 63. The pushing member 70 is a
cylindrical bar-shaped member extending in the main scanning
direction, and is formed integrally at the end portion of the valve
member 62 at the valve seat 61 side. In other words, the valve
member 62 and the pushing member 70 constitute a movable member.
The pushing member 70 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of
the hole 61b, and is disposed to extend through the hole 61b. The
pushing member 70 has such a length that, in a state where the
valve member 62 is in contact with the valve seat 61 (the second
valve 60 is in the closed state), a gap is formed between the
distal end of the pushing member 70 and the spherical body 52
located at a position when the first valve 50 changes from the open
state to the closed state (when the spherical body 52 makes contact
with the annular protrusion 51b from a state separated from the
sealing body 51).
In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 22B, after the hollow
needle 153 is inserted and the first valve 50 becomes the open
state, the spherical body 52 makes contact with the distal end of
the pushing member 70. And, as the hollow needle 153 is further
inserted, the pushing member 70 and the valve member 62 move to
separate the valve member 62 from the valve seat 61. With this
operation, the second valve 60 changes from the closed state to the
open state. At this time, because the pipes 44 and 45 of the ink
channel 43a are communicated with each other, ink in the ink pouch
42 flows into the hollow needle 153. On the other hand, when the
hollow needle 153 is removed, in a similar manner to the first
valve 50, the valve member 62 and the pushing member 70 move due to
urging of the coil spring 63, and the valve member 62 makes close
contact with the valve seat 61. With this operation, the second
valve 60 changes from the open state to the closed state. In this
way, the second valve 60 also takes one of the open state for
allowing fluid communication of the ink channel 43a of the ink
leading pipe 43, and the closed state for blocking the fluid
communication, depending on insertion and removal of the hollow
needle 153.
The photo sensor 66 connected with the contact 91 is provided in
the chamber 41b of the housing 41. The photo sensor 66 is a
reflection-type optical sensor that is capable of detecting an
existence of an object in a non-contact state. The photo sensor 66
is disposed at a position confronting the downstream end of the
valve member 62 when fluid communication of the ink channel 43a is
blocked by the second valve 60 as shown in FIG. 22A, and at a
position not confronting the valve member 62 when fluid
communication of the ink channel 43a is not blocked by the second
valve 60 as shown in FIG. 22B.
As the photo sensor 66, for example, a reflection-type optical
sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving
portion may be adopted. In this case, a mirror surface capable of
reflecting light is formed on at least part of the valve member 62
(the movable member). In the present embodiment, the light emitting
portion and the mirror surface of the valve member 62 serve as the
optical-field forming section.
When the photo sensor 66 confronts the valve member 62 (the closed
state), light emitted from the light emitting portion is reflected
by the mirror surface of the valve member 62, and this reflection
light is received by the light receiving portion. At this time, the
photo sensor 66 outputs a high output value indicating that the
light receiving portion receives light (corresponding to Vh in
FIGS. 14A and 14B).
On the other hand, when the photo sensor 66 does not confront the
valve member 62 (the open state), light emitted from the light
emitting portion is not reflected by the mirror surface of the
valve member 62, and the light receiving portion does not receive
light. At this time, the photo sensor 66 outputs a low output value
indicating that the light receiving portion does not receive light
(corresponding to V1 in FIGS. 14A and 14B).
These output values are transmitted to the controller of the
printer via the contact 91. By receiving these signals, the
controller can detect the open state and the closed state of the
second valve 60 in a distinguishable manner.
Similar to the above-described embodiments, the controller
determines that the second valve 60 is at the open position if the
output value from the photo sensor 66 is lower than or equal to the
threshold value Vt (for example, Vt=(Vh+V1)/2) (V.ltoreq.Vt), and
determines that the second valve 60 is at the closed position if
the output value from the photo sensor 66 exceeds the threshold
value Vt (Vt<V).
Like the Hall element shown in FIG. 14B does, the photo sensor 66
of the present embodiment generates a potential higher than a
ground potential (V=Vmin>0) when the photo sensor 66 is disposed
in an optical field of magnitude 0 (that is, when the light
receiving portion receives no light at all).
According to the above-described configuration, even if the
cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position of the
printer while the second valve 60 is at the open position, the
photo sensor 66 does not output a potential that is the same as the
ground potential (a potential inputted to the controller when the
cartridge 40 is not mounted at the predetermined position).
Accordingly, the controller does not determine that the cartridge
40 is not mounted at the predetermined position despite a fact that
the cartridge 40 is mounted at the predetermined position.
Accordingly, in the present embodiment, too, an error in mounting
determination can be suppressed, and reliability in mounting
determination can be secured.
Note that the photo sensor 66 is not limited to the reflection-type
optical sensor and, for example, a transmission-type optical sensor
may be used.
While the liquid cartridge and the liquid ejecting apparatus of the
invention have been described in detail with reference to the above
embodiments thereof, various changes and modifications may be made
therein without departing from the scope of the claims.
For example, in the above-described first through fourth
embodiments, the movable member and the magnetic-field forming
section (the magnetic-field generating member, the magnetic body)
have configurations in respective patterns, but may have
configurations in different patterns. For example, in the fourth
embodiment, a pattern can be conceived that the hollow needle 153
is made of the magnetic-field generating member (magnet) and that
the magnet 72 is omitted.
<Terminals of Cartridge>
The terminals may be provided separately on a plurality of boards.
Further, the power-source terminal, the ground terminal, and the
output terminal need not be arranged on the same plane.
The shapes of the terminals are not limited to rectangular shapes
but may be any shape such as circular shape, for example. Further,
distances between the terminals need not be equal.
The surface on which the terminals are arranged need not be the
surface perpendicular to the mounting direction of the cartridge to
the mounting section, and may be a surface parallel to the mounting
direction, for example.
The number of the sensor-signal output terminal(s) may be changed
in accordance with the number of the magnetic sensor(s). Further,
the number of the ground terminal(s) may be an arbitrary number
that is larger than or equal to one.
The power-source terminal may be electrically connected only with
the magnetic sensor, so as to input a power-source potential only
to the magnetic sensor. For example, the power-source potential may
be inputted to the memory 141 (storage section) via a data input
terminal.
Further, the number of the power-source terminal(s) may be an
arbitrary number that is larger than or equal to one. For example,
an individual power-source terminal may be provided for each of a
plurality of magnetic sensors.
The arrangement, the sizes of the terminals, and distances between
the terminals may be changed arbitrarily. For example, in FIG. 7,
the positions of the data input terminal 173c and the data output
terminal 172c may be switched. The positions of the sensor-signal
output terminals 170c and 171 c may be switched. The power-source
terminal 174c may be arranged at the right-lower end, the
left-upper end, the left-lower end, or the like, not the
right-upper end, or may be arranged at a position other than an end
of a row. Further, the number of row(s) in which terminals are
arranged, the number of terminal(s) included in each row, and the
like are also arbitrary. Additionally, terminals may be arranged in
a circular shape, or in a random shape, not in rows.
The storage section may be omitted, and the terminal for the
storage section may be omitted.
<Terminal of Apparatus Main Body>
The terminal of the apparatus main body may have the same size as
or a larger size than the terminal of the cartridge.
The number or arrangement of the terminal(s) of the apparatus main
body may partially correspond to the terminals of the cartridge.
For example, in a case where the terminals of the cartridge are
arranged in two rows each including three terminals, the terminals
of the apparatus main body may be arranged in two rows each
including four terminals. In this case, the terminals of the
apparatus main body include terminals that do not contact the
terminals of the cartridge. Similarly, the number or arrangement of
the terminal(s) of the cartridge may partially correspond to the
terminals of the apparatus main body. The terminals of the
cartridge may include terminals that do not contact the terminals
of the apparatus main body.
The terminals of the apparatus main body may be terminals of a
leaf-spring type (terminals urged by leaf springs in a direction
toward the terminals of the cartridge) or may be other than a
leaf-spring type. Further, the terminals of the apparatus main body
and the terminals of the cartridge may be so designed that
positions other than centers of the terminals serve as contact
portions.
The movable member that moves in the channel is not limited to a
valve that opens/closes the channel, and may be a valve that
adjusts a flow amount in the channel or other arbitrary
members.
<Magnetic Sensor>
The number of the magnetic sensor(s) provided at the cartridge may
be an arbitrary number that is larger than or equal to one.
In the above-described embodiments, the magnetic sensor (Hall
element 71) is used that generates a potential higher than a ground
potential when disposed in a magnetic field of magnitude 0.
However, a magnetic sensor may be used that generates a potential
that is the same as the ground potential when disposed in a
magnetic field of magnitude 0.
In the above-described embodiments, the magnetic sensor (Hall
element 71) is used that generates a potential lower than a
power-source potential when the cartridge is mounted on the
mounting section. However, a magnetic sensor may be used that
generates a potential that is the same as the power-source
potential when the cartridge is mounted on the mounting
section.
The arrangement of the magnetic sensor and the magnetic-field
generating member may be changed appropriately. For example, the
magnetic sensor may be disposed at an arbitrary and appropriate
position in a magnetic field that is generated by the
magnetic-field generating member and the movable member (the hollow
member in the fourth embodiment).
<Other Configuration of Cartridge>
The ground potential is not limited to 0V, as long as it is lower
than the power-source potential.
In the above-described embodiments, the cartridge individually
stores two kinds of liquid (black ink and pre-coat liquid).
However, the cartridge may store only one kind of liquid.
Data stored in the storage section are not limited to particular
kinds of data. As data relating potential generated by the magnetic
sensor, the amount of liquid within the liquid storing section, and
the like, the storage section need not store the potential and the
amount of liquid within the liquid storing section themselves.
Instead, the storage section may store data from which the
potential and the amount of liquid can be derived.
The storage section need not store sensor output values. The sensor
output values are data (Vh, V1) that serve as criterion for
judgment of the position of the movable member (the valve main body
62 in the first through third embodiments, the hollow needle 153 in
the fourth embodiment). In this case, for example, the sensor
output values may be stored in the ROM of the apparatus main body,
and the position determining section may determine the position
based on the output values from the magnetic sensor and on data
(Vh, V1) read out from the ROM.
In addition, without departing from the scope of the claims, the
configurations (shapes, positions, etc.) of each part (the housing
41, the reservoir 42, the supply pipe 43, the plug 50, the valve
60, the sensor unit 70, the memory 141, the board 142, etc.) of the
cartridge may be changed appropriately. Further, other parts may be
added, and some parts may be omitted.
<Controls Performed by Apparatus Main Body>
Regarding determination by the mount determining section, in the
above-described embodiments, it is determined that the cartridge is
mounted on the mounting section when the potential V is
Vmin.ltoreq.V<Vmax (see FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 17). However, the
range is not limited to the above range as long as the potential is
higher than a ground potential. For example, it may be determined
that the cartridge is not mounted on the mounting section in the
case of V=ground potential, and it may be determined that the
cartridge is mounted on the mounting section in the case of
V>ground potential.
Regarding determination by the position determining section, in the
above-described embodiments, Vh and V1 are used as the potentials
serving as criterion for judgment of the position of the movable
member, but other values may be used. For example, without using
data unique to the cartridge such as Vh and V1, the position may be
determined by using Vmax and Vmin stored in the ROM of the
apparatus main body, for example, based on the threshold value
Vt=(Vmax+Vmin)/2. The calculation method of the threshold value Vt
is also arbitrary. Further, the threshold value Vt itself, not Vh
and V1 etc., may be stored in the storage section of the cartridge
or in the ROM of the apparatus main body.
The apparatus main body may stop an operation of each section of
the apparatus main body (an ejecting operation of the head, etc.),
without reporting an error.
Timing at which transmission and reception of signals are allowed
between the cartridge and the apparatus main body and timing at
which power supply is allowed from the apparatus main body to the
cartridge are not limited to those described above. The timings can
be changed arbitrarily.
Writing of data by the writing section and determination of
abnormality by the abnormal-writing determining section may also be
performed prior to reception of a print command from an external
device.
Timing at which each functioning section performs a function, such
as timing at which the reading section reads data stored in the
storage section of the cartridge, timing at which the writing
section writes data in the storage section of the cartridge, timing
at which the receiving section receives a signal from the magnetic
sensor, timing at which the abnormal-writing determining section
determines abnormal writing, timing at which the abnormal-reception
determining section determines abnormal reception, timing at which
the moving section moves the hollow member, and the like may be
changed appropriately.
The hollow member may have a tip that is not acicular like a
needle.
Liquid stored in the liquid cartridge is not limited to ink and
pre-coat liquid. For example, the liquid may be post-coat liquid
that is ejected onto a recording medium subsequent to recording in
order to improve image quality, cleaning liquid for cleaning the
conveying belt, and the like.
The number of the cartridge(s) included in a liquid ejecting
apparatus may be an arbitrary number larger than or equal to
one.
The number of the liquid ejecting head(s) included in a liquid
ejecting apparatus is not limited to two, but may be an arbitrary
number larger than or equal to one. For example, the liquid
ejecting apparatus may be a color inkjet printer including heads
that eject black ink and ink in three colors (magenta, cyan, and
yellow).
The liquid ejecting apparatus may be a line type or a serial type.
Further, the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to a printer,
but may be any liquid ejecting apparatus such as a facsimile
apparatus, a copier, and the like.
* * * * *